One: Psycho (1960)

June 16, 1960.

Following the back-to-back success of Vertigo and North by Northwest, crowds eagerly gathered at the DeMille Theater and Baronet Theater in New York City to see Alfred Hitchcock's next film. What they saw forever changed the narrative of horror.

Psycho's Premiere at the DeMille Theater

Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho: a movie so unsettling, it made people flee theaters and faint in their very seats. In following years, Disney denied Hitchcock’s request to film at their park because of “that disgusting film, Psycho.” Needless to say, Hitchcock's created an appalling masterpiece. With a box office of $32,002,177 ($320,320,168.68 in today’s money), Psycho was an instant classic for film enthusiasts everywhere.

Hitchcock believed that it was vastly important that no one was ever late to a showing of Psycho. How does one achieve this? It’s simple: you just need Hitchcock shaped cardboard cutouts, music in the lobby with time reminders, and the threat of death upon those theater owners who allowed late entry. Easy enough.

Hitchcock Cut-Out Display for Theaters

At the latter end of my youth, I began a descent into horror film history. Growing up, I was an extremely active viewer of newer horror, specifically the movies that constantly played on SYFY. Remember those? They were awful but, oh, so good (I’m looking at you Wrong Turn). The first movie I turned to when I turned back time was Psycho. I was naive, going in assuming that I would be bored. I formerly had an association with older horror movies having slow pacing, poor dialogue, and bad storylines.

This movie changed my heart and mind, giving me a far deeper passion for all things horror. I was absolutely glued to the screen, and, by the end of the movie, sat there with my mouth agape in absolute shock at the horrifyingly incredible story that came some 50 odd years before my own viewing. If you haven’t seen it yet, stop reading immediately and go spend the next hour and 49 minutes having your life completely changed.

With all of that said, let’s look at the cocktail climate of the 1960’s. One year after Psycho’s release, a book titled ‘The Diners’ Club Drink Book’ was released. Within the contents of this book was the very first written recipe for a cocktail that was later popularized by The Big Lebowski, The White Russian. How and why do Psycho and the White Russian relate? Well, they barely do but I already named the drink. It’s absolutely hilarious and I had no intentions of changing it. History just happened to work in my favor.

Who knows, perhaps Mr. Bates would have sucked a few White Russians down while awaiting his impending trial and thinking about his mother dearest. With that, I present to you the first of thirteen:

Mommy’s Milk

• 1.5 oz Hamilton 86 Demerara Rum*

• 1 oz Frangelico

• 0.5 oz Simple Syrup

• 1.5 oz Vanilla Almond Milk

• Pinch of Cinnamon

• Fresh Grated Nutmeg

In a shaker, add Hamilton 86 Demerara Rum, Vanilla Almond Milk, Frangelico, Simple Syrup, and Cinnamon. Shake over ice. Strain contents over fresh ice in a Rocks Glass and garnish with fresh grated nutmeg. Dawn your mother's oldest dress, grab her largest kitchen knife, and enjoy.

*If you cannot find this specific rum, do not fret. What this drink needs is a Demerara rum that is at bottle proof (somewhere around 80-90 proof). The origin for all Demerara rum is in Guyana. If you were to take a trip to your local spirits shop and look up rum origin, you would be sure to find something that would taste delicious.